Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>On 28 November, the Korean National Assembly reached an agreement on a tax reform plan to officially lower taxes on dividends income. </li>
<li>The decline in tax on dividends is a definite step in the right direction. Nonetheless, the top bracket dividend tax rate cut was slightly less than what market was expecting. </li>
<li>Given that about 15%-25% dividend tax rates are more common in other developed countries,  Korea's reduction of dividend taxes is likely to be welcomed highly by many global investors.</li>
</ul>


On 28 November, the Korean National Assembly reached an agreement on a tax reform plan to officially lower taxes on dividends income. 
The decline in tax on dividends is a definite step in the right direction. Nonetheless, the top bracket dividend tax rate cut was slightly less than what market was expecting. 
Given that about 15%-25% dividend tax rates are more common in other developed countries,  Korea's reduction of dividend taxes is likely to be welcomed highly by many global investors.


Top Bracket Dividend Tax Rate Lowered to 30% in Korea [Moderately Positive]

Korea / Special Situations, Clepsydra Capital

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Situations

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

Clepsydra Capital

Investigate special situations, pairs, and index rebalancing trades in Korea.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>If the three non-IT names exit IT, passive flows hit hard: SK Square/LG Electronics ~0.4× DTV out, LG Corp ~0.8× DTV out, new IT entrants ~0.2–0.25× DTV in.</li>
<li>If KRX surprises next Tuesday, kicking three names from IT, expect immediate tape reaction—market memory exists, but the scenario isn’t priced, unlike 2023 Kakaopay, so instant price impact is likely.</li>
<li>If this happens, June 11 turns into a chunky basket-flow day: SK Square (~15% weight) out, next-tier caps see ~0.15–0.2× DTV inflow, except ultra-liquid names like Hanmi Semi.</li>
</ul>


If the three non-IT names exit IT, passive flows hit hard: SK Square/LG Electronics ~0.4× DTV out, LG Corp ~0.8× DTV out, new IT entrants ~0.2–0.25× DTV in.
If KRX surprises next Tuesday, kicking three names from IT, expect immediate tape reaction—market memory exists, but the scenario isn’t priced, unlike 2023 Kakaopay, so instant price impact is likely.
If this happens, June 11 turns into a chunky basket-flow day: SK Square (~15% weight) out, next-tier caps see ~0.15–0.2× DTV inflow, except ultra-liquid names like Hanmi Semi.


Unexpected ETF-Driven Flow Event Lights up the KOSPI 200 IT Sleeve

Tracking developments across tech supply chains, Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Tracking developments across tech supply chains

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul><li>Horizon Robotics is at the forefront of China's advancements in autonomous driving technology, indicating a significant shift in the automotive industry.</li><li>Foxtron's acquisition plans for Luxgen have raised concerns among investors, highlighting potential instability in the electric vehicle market.</li><li>The ASEAN region is experiencing a surge in global semiconductor IDM investments, reflecting a growing focus on technology development and manufacturing capabilities.</li></ul>

Horizon Robotics is at the forefront of China's advancements in autonomous driving technology, indicating a significant shift in the automotive industry.Foxtron's acquisition plans for Luxgen have raised concerns among investors, highlighting potential instability in the electric vehicle market.The ASEAN region is experiencing a surge in global semiconductor IDM investments, reflecting a growing focus on technology development and manufacturing capabilities.

Tech Supply Chain Tracker (21-Nov-2025): Horizon Robotics drives China's autonomous

<ul>
<li>Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Hyun-jung has introduced a revised Income Tax Act that would lower the top tax rate on dividend income from 35% to 25%.</li>
<li>Given that this proposal is coming from the ruling Democratic Party, there is a fairly high probability that this could be passed into law in 3Q 2025.</li>
<li>We provide a list of 28 mid-cap/large cap stocks in Korea with more than 35% dividend payout and 3% or more dividend yield that could benefit from this new proposal.</li>
</ul>


Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Hyun-jung has introduced a revised Income Tax Act that would lower the top tax rate on dividend income from 35% to 25%.
Given that this proposal is coming from the ruling Democratic Party, there is a fairly high probability that this could be passed into law in 3Q 2025.
We provide a list of 28 mid-cap/large cap stocks in Korea with more than 35% dividend payout and 3% or more dividend yield that could benefit from this new proposal.


Separate Dividend Tax Plan in Korea: A Push for a 25% Rate for Top Bracket

<ul>
<li>There will be an end of lock up of 67.5% of LG CNS (064400 KS)'s shares starting 5 August (6 months post IPO).</li>
<li>The shares subject to the release are those held by the largest shareholder LG Corp (003550 KS) and Crystal Korea (Macquarie).</li>
<li>We would emphasize on positive developments on LG CNS (solid operating results and stablecoin rollout in Korea) which could be bigger factors than potential selling by the second largest shareholder.</li>
</ul>


There will be an end of lock up of 67.5% of LG CNS (064400 KS)'s shares starting 5 August (6 months post IPO).
The shares subject to the release are those held by the largest shareholder LG Corp (003550 KS) and Crystal Korea (Macquarie).
We would emphasize on positive developments on LG CNS (solid operating results and stablecoin rollout in Korea) which could be bigger factors than potential selling by the second largest shareholder.


LG CNS: End of Lockup for 67.5% of Outstanding Shares on 5 August

South Korea

LG Corp. is a holding company, which operates subsidiaries including LG Electronics, LG Household & Health Care, LG Chem Ltd., and Dacom Corp. The Company's main business areas are electronics, chemicals, and household products manufacturing and telecommunications services.

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LG Corp (003550 KS)

Top Bracket Dividend Tax Rate Lowered to 30% in Korea [Moderately Positive]

On 28 November, the Korean National Assembly reached an agreement on a tax reform plan to officially lower taxes on dividends income.

Douglas Kim

Unexpected ETF-Driven Flow Event Lights up the KOSPI 200 IT Sleeve

This post looks at the KOSPI 200 IT sector getting hit by a surprise passive-flow swing and what it could mean for upcoming rebalance trades.

Sanghyun Park

Tech Supply Chain Tracker (21-Nov-2025): Horizon Robotics drives China's autonomous

Horizon Robotics advances China's autonomous driving, Foxtron's Luxgen deal raises concerns, Wistron and Pegatron support Health2Sync, while BOE...

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Separate Dividend Tax Plan in Korea: A Push for a 25% Rate for Top Bracket

The final decision to lower top bracket dividend tax from 35% to 25% could be made in the next several days. There have been increasing local news...

Douglas Kim

LG CNS: End of Lockup for 67.5% of Outstanding Shares on 5 August

It was announced today that Macquarie PE sold about 7.4 million shares of LG CNS in a block deal trade. The selling price was 60,242 won (9%...

Douglas Kim

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